Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus.



'No. 657,090. Patented Sept. 4, I900.

.1. T. COWLEY. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 28, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. 4, I900. .L T; OQW'LEY.

PNERHA'HG DESPATQH TUBE APPARATUS.

(A 'nqum filed m. as. 1899.!

6 Sheets$hoet 2.

No.'657,090. Patented Sept. 4, I900. J. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 23, 1899.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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No. 657,090. Patented Sept. 4, I900. J. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 23, 1899.\

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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Patented Sept. 4, 1900. J. T. COWLEY. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 93, 1899.} (No Hyde!) 6 Sheeta-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 4, I900.

J. T. COWLEY.

PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBE APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 23, 1899.) (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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JAMES T. OOlVLEY, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON CONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE COMPANY, OF NEWARK,

NEXV JERSEY.

PNEUMATlC-DESPATCH-TUBE APPARATUS.

SPECIFZCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,090, dated September 4, 1900.

Application filed March 2 3, 1 8 9 9.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES 'I. COWLEY, Lowell, in the countyof Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic-Despatch-Tube Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic despatch-tube apparatus in which the carriers are impelled through a tube by air-pressure.

My invention consists of certain novel features hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure 1 shows an end elevation of one of the terminals. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the terminal with the upper part removed. Fig. 4: is a sectional side elevation of the lower part of the terminal and valve-box, showing the valves and detail mechanism of the same. Fig. 5 shows an end elevation of the lower part of the terminal and valve-box. Fig. 6 shows a section of the same on the line X X, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of the hollow standard for supporting the upper curved part of the terminal. Fig. Sis an end view of the same. Fig. 9 is a view of the switch which is operated automatically to close the circuit during the discharge of the carrier. Fig. 10 shows asection of the switch on the line XX, Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the opposite ends of the line and the terminals at each end with the connections between the opposite ends broken away. Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits. Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 12, showing the magnets and the switches at opposite ends of the line with the switches both open and no current passing. Fig. l-l is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits, magnets, and switches and showing the right-hand switch closed and the magnets at both ends of the line energized. Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits, magnets, and switches and Serial No. 710,155. (No model.)

showing the left-hand switch closed and the magnets at both ends of the line energized.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

WV-hen it is desired to despatch a carrier, it

is inserted into the terminal at the inlet A This valve-box is provided with a closed 6 pocket E, through which the shaft D passes.

On this shaft D and projecting into this closed pocket is a lever F, and bearing against the lower end of this lever F is another lever G the upper end of which is mounted loosely on the shaft G journaled inthe upright ears G of the bottom plate G and said lever G. passes down through openings in the plates G G The shaft G, journaled in the ears G extends outwardly on one side and is provided with a handle G for a purpose to be hereinafter described. On this shaft G- is securely fastened the forked lever G9, Figs. i and 6, provided at its outer end with the roll I-I, mounted on the pivot H, and against the other end of the lever G9 bears the lip G projecting upwardly from the lever G. This lip on the lever G is held in contact with the lever G by a spring G around the shaft G",

the opposite ends of the spring bearing on the levers Or and G9 and holding the lip G7 in contact with the lever G9 at all times, as shown in Fig. 4:. In order that the valve D may be closed, as above described, the handle G is moved forward toward the left from the position shown in Fig. 2, moving with it the shaft G to which the lever G is secured, and through the medium of the spring G and the lever G the lever F and the valve D are moved to the position shown in dotted lines,

Fig. 4:, thereby closing the opening 0 in the valve-box O, which communicates with the despatch-tube B.

This Go Located in the pocketL and secured to the plate G is a plate K, provided with a hub K, within which is mounted the plunger J, provided at its top with the flange J, against which the roll H of the lever G9 bears. Within the pocket L is mounted the plunger L, held in a raised position by the spring L as shown in Fig. 4. This plunger L is provided with a hollow stem L to which the valve L is secured by the nuts L and the lower end of the valve-stem L has an opening L communicating with the pocket M of the valvebox 0. The spring L tends to keep the plunger J in the position shown in Fig. 4. L is a flange on the stem L to limit the downward movement of the plunger I. in the pocket L. The plunger J is provided with a circular groove J and a longitudinal slot J on the periphery of said plunger, which connects the circular slot J with the upper part of the pocket L. The hub K is provided with the vent K in alinement with the circular groove J when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4. K is a cushion against which the flange J stops when pushed down by the lever G as hereinafter explained.

M is a plate covering the bottom of the valve-box O, to which the air-pressure-supply pipe M is secured and which communicates with the pocket M. To this plate is also secured the despatch-tube B for the transmission of carriers. The air-pressure-supply pipe M extends between the two terminals and at a convenient point is connected with the air-supply tank M into which airis forced under pressure by a suitable air pump through the pipe M Extending upward from the plate G and secured thereto is a curved portion N of the terminal, having an opening N for the discharge of the carriers into a suitable receptacle N Projecting down from the portion N of the terminal is a hollow lug 0, having the foot 0.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, 0 represents a shaft passing through the hollow lug O and having secured thereto within said hollow lug the lever 0 projected across the curved portion N of the terminal. To one end of the shaft 0 is a spring 0 one end of which is secured to the shaft 0 in the slot 0 and the other end is secured around the pin 0 extending from the lug O. This spring 0 is covered by the casing 0 which fits over the ring 0 secured to the lug O by the screws 0. Secured to the opposite side of this lug O is a ring 0 over which the casing O fits. Within this ring 0 is a disk P, of hard rubber, fiber, or other non-conducting material, and seated within said disk are the metallic contact-plates P P Figs. 9 and 10, provided with suitable binding-screws P P Located around the shaft 0 is a collar P to which is secured a disk P of non-conducting material, and bearing against the disk P is the center of the switch P the outer ends of which are adapted to engage with the metallic contactplates P P when the switch is moved. P is a washer over the center of the switch,through which the screw P passes into the shaft 0 securely holding all the parts together.

Referring to Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, from a suitable battery S the wire Q passes upwardly to the magnet T, supported by the plate T, (see Fig. 1,) secured to upright ears G of the plate G. This magnet is provided with an armature T secured to the upperv end of the catch T pivoted at T to a vertical extension of the plate G This catch is provided with a suit-able spring-plunger T, which bears on the plates G and tends to hold the catch in position to engage with the flange J of the plunger J as the plunger descends. From the magnet T the wire Q passes up through the hollow standard R, having its flange R secured to the foot 0 of the lug O and having its lower flange R secured to the plate G. The upper end of the Wire Q is secured in contact with the plate P by the binding-screw P as shown in Fig. 9. The wire Q is secured to the contact-plate P by the binding-post P and passes down through the standard R, and the wire Q then passes 01f to the other end of the line to amagnet similar in construction and operation to that above described and shown in Fig. 4 and used at the right hand of the drawing, Fig. 11, and said magnet (at the left hand of drawing, Fig. 11) is connected to the battery S by the wire Q. Another wire Q is connected to the wire Q at Q and passes to the terminal at the opposite end of the line and up through the standard R to a binding-post similar in construction to that shown in Fig. 9, used at the right hand of Fig. 11. Another wire Q is secured to the other binding-post of the switch and extends down through the standard R and is connected to the wire Q at Q, as illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. This arrangement is for the purpose of completing the circuit and energizing the magnet at the end of the line when the switch at one end of the line is operated by the discharge of a carrier. \Vhen the apparatus is not in operation, both the switches P at the opposite ends of the line are open and, as shown in Fig. 13, no current is passing. \Vhen the switch P at the right-hand end of the line is closed, Fig. 1-1, the current passes from the battery S by the wire Q to the magnet T to the wire Q through the switch P to the wire Q to the magnet T at the left-hand end of the line and then to the battery S by the wire Q, as indicated by the arrows, the wire Q being dead in this operation. When the switch P at the left-hand end of the line is closed, (see Fig. 15,) the current passes from the battery S by the wire Q to the magnet T at the right-hand end of the line, then by the wire Q through the switch P to the junction Q to the magnet T at the left-hand end of the line, and then by the wire Q to the battery S, as indicated by the arrows, the wire Q being dead in this operation.

The operation of the device is as follows: A carrier is dropped into the inlet A (right hand of drawing, Fig. 11) and passes down through the opening 0 in the valve-box G into the despatch-tnbe B, Fig. 4. The handle G is then moved to the left and closes the valve D, as previously described. This movement of closing the valve also pushes down the lever G which is fast to the shaft G and this movement of the lever Gr carries with it the plunger Jagainst the tension of the spring L After the valve D is closed the movement of the lever G is continued, the spring yielding and allowing the plunger J to be still further depressed. when the plunger reaches its lowest position, the catch T will engage with the flange J on the plunger J and hold it in its lowest position by reason of the spring-plunger T WVhen this plunger J is in its lowest position, the ports J communicating through the plunger J into the recess J will be in alinement with the upper part of the pocket L above the plunger L. \Vith the plunger in the position just described the air-pressure passes up through the opening L and through the ports J into the upper part of the pocket L above the plunger L, and by reason of this plunger L being of greater area than the valve L the plunger L is forced down by the airpressure opening the valve L and allowing the air-pressure to pass from the pipe M into the valve-box C and thence into the despatchtube B, driving the carrier which has just been inserted to the opposite end of the line. The pressure of the air through the valveboX C is sufficient to hold the valve D in contact with the valveseat 0 upon the removal of the hand from the handle G and the plunger J being held down by the catch '1 will remain in its position, allowing the air to blow through the despatch-tube B until the catch T is released from the flange J on the plunger J The carrier traveling along the tube B toward the opposite end of the line-that is, the left hand of- Fig. 1lwhich is identical inconstruction to the terminal shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and at the right hand of Fig. 11 will pass through the curved portion N into and out of the opening N into the suitable receptacle. During this discharge the lever O atthe lefthand of Fig. 11 will be depressed, carrying With it the shaft 0 and switch P connecting the metallic plates P and P and forming a closed circuit which will energize the magnet T at the right hand of Fig. 11 and release the catch T from the flange J on the plunger J, allowing the spring L at the right hand of Fig. 11 to return the plungerJt-o its position, as shown in Fig. 4. This release of the plunger J will move the parts J" out of alinement with the upper part of the pocket L and will also bring the circular groove J into alinement with the.

vent K in the hub K on the plate K. The

longitudinal slot J in the periphery of the plunger J will in this position form a vent for the upper part of the pocket L, allowing the air to escape out through the vent K It will be seen with the parts in this position, Fig. 4, that the air-pressure from the pocket M is cut off from the upper part of the pocket L and that also a vent is formed for the 'upper part of the pocket L to allow the escape of the air from said upper part through the vent K when the spring L will force the plunger L, carrying with it the valve L, upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, closing the opening from the pocket M and preventing the further flow of air into the despatch-tube B. As soon as the air has ceased to fiow into the despatch-tube B the pressure is removed from the valve D and the valve,

will drop by gravity to its normal position, as shown in full lines, Fig. 4, at which time the apparatus is in condition for the despatching of another carrier.

From the above it is clear that the air in the storage-reservoir is used only during the transit of a carrier from one terminal to another, as the air-pressure is cut off immediately upon the arrival of the carrier at the opposite despatch-terminal.

As shown and described, a single tube is used for the transit of the carrier in both directions, as the terminals and the operating parts at each end may be identical in construction'aud operation.

The operation above described as taking place in the terminal at the right hand of Fig. 11 upon the discharge of the carrier at the left hand of Fig. 11 will likewise occur in the terminal at the left hand of Fig. 11 upon the discharge of a carrier coming from the left hand of Fig. 11 and discharging at the right hand of Fig. 11.

Asa discharging-carrier is passing through the terminal N it strikes the lever 0 fast on the shaft 0 and puts the spring 0 under tension. After the carrier has passed by said lever the spring 0 by reason of its tension moves the lever 0 back into its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, and in position to be operated by the next carrier to close the electric circuit.

I do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown, as the same may be varied without departing from my invention.

Having thus ascertained the nature of my invention and set forth a construction epibodying the same, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,'is-- 1. In a pneu matic-despatclrtube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, mechanism for closing said valve, an air-inlet, a valve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close said airinlet, mechanism for opening said air-inlet valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said valve, means for controlling the How of air from said source to said valve-opening mechanism, means for holding said air-inlet valve open, an electric circuit, circuit closing means located in the path of the traveling carrier and arranged to be operated thereby, and an electromagnet included in said circuit and energized upon the closing of said circuit by the traveling carrier to release said air-inlet-valve-holdin g means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve.

2. Inapneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, mechanism for closing said valve, an air-inlet, a valve controlling said air -inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close said air-inlet, mechanism for opening said air-inlet valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said valve, means controlling the flow of compressed air to said valve-opening mechanism, mechanism for operating said air-controlling means to allow the passage of compressed air, a yielding connection between said mechanism closing the valve of the carrier-inlet and the mechanism which operates the air-controlling means, means for holding said air-inlet valve open, an electric circuit, circuit-closing means located in the path of the traveling carrier and arranged to be operated thereby, and an electromagnet included in said circuit and energized upon the closing of said circuit by the traveling carrier to release said air -inletvalve-holding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve.

3. In apneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carrier, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet, avalve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close said airinlet, mechanism for opening said air-inlet valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said valve, means controlling the flow of compressed air to said valve-opening mechanism, means for holding said air-inlet valve open, and mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to release said air-inletvalve-holding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve.

4. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a lever for closing said valve, a shaft on which said lever is mounted, and a handle fast on said shaft for operating said lever to close said valve.

5. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a lever for closing said valve, a shaft on which said lever is mounted, a handle fast on said shaft and adapted to be moved to operate said lever to close said valve, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet, a valve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve:to close said air-inlet; mechanism for opening said air-inlet valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said air-inlet valve, a lever carried by said shaft to operate the means for establishing communication between the source of compressed air and the mechanism for opening the air-inlet valve,means for holding said air-inlet valve open, and mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to release said air-inlet valve-holding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve.

6. Inapneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet for the compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet, means for moving said valve to close said air-inlet, a pocket, a hollow stem supporting said valve controlling the air-inlet and forming a passage between said source of compressed air and said pocket, and a plunger mounted in said pocket having an area larger than that of said valve controlling the air-inlet and connected with said stem and adapted to be moved by the pressure of air in said pocket to open said valve controlling the air-inlet.

7. In apneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an. inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet for the compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet, means for moving said valve to close said air-inlet, a pocket communicating with said source of compressed air, and a plunger mounted in said pocket and connected with said valve controlling the air-inlet and having an area larger than that of the valve controlling the air-inlet and adapted to be moved by the introduction of compressed air into said pocket to open said valve controlling the air-inlet.

8. Inapneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the car- Oil riers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet for the compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet, means for moving said valve to close said air-inlet, a pocket communicating with said source of compressed air, aplunger mounted in said pocket and connected with said valve controlling the air-inlet and having an area larger than that of the valve controlling the air-inlet and adapted to be moved by the introduction of compressed air into said pocket to open said valve controlling the air-inlet, and means for regulating and controlling the How of compressed air into said pocket.

9. Ina pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet for the compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet, a pocket, a hollow stem supporting said valve controlling the air-inlet and forming a passage between said source of compressed air and said pocket, a plunger carried in said hollow stem for regulating and controlling the passage of air through said stem, means for moving said plunger, and a second plunger mounted in said pocket having an area larger than that of the valve controlling the air-inlet and connected with said stem and adapted to be moved by the pres sure of air in said pocket to open said valve controlling the air-inlet.

10. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an airinlet for said compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close said air-inlet, mechanism for opening said valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said valve, means controlling the flow of compressed air to said valve-opening mechanism, and mechanism located in the path of the traveling carrier and operated thereby to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve.

11. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a sourceof compressed air, an airinlet for said compressed air, a Valve controlling said air-inlet and provided with a hollow stem open to said compressed air and with a plunger mechanism normally holding said valve to close the air-inlet of greater area than the valve, a plunger movable in said hollow stem and having passages for leading the compressed air to one side of the said plunger of greater area than the valve to open said valve by the pressure acting on said plunger of greater area, mechanism for closing said carrier-inlet valve and for moving said plunger in said stem to establish the said communication for the compressed air, means for holding said plunger located in the hollow stem to maintain said communication for the compressed air to hold said air-inlet valve open, mechanism located in the path of travel of the carriers and operated by the latter to release the air-inlet valve from the mechanism holding it open, and means for re turning said plunger to its normal position.

12. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a cam-ier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, a source of compressed air, an air-inlet for the compressed air, a valve controlling said air-inlet and provided with a hollow stem open to the said compressed air and with a plunger'of greater area than the valve, mechanism normally holding said valve to close the air-inlet; a plunger movable in said hollow stem and having passages for leading the compressed air to one side of the plunger of greater area than the valve to open said valve by the pressure acting on said plunger of greater area, mechanism for closing said carrier-inlet valve and for moving said plunger in said stem to establish the said communication for the compressed air, means for hold ing said plunger located in said hollow stem to maintain said communication for the compressed air to hold said air-inlet valve open, an electric circuit, circuit-closing means located in the path traveled by the carriers and operated by the latter, an electromagnet included in said circuit and adapted to be energized upon the closing of said circuit to release said air-inlet-valve-holding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve, and means for returning said plunger to its normal position.

13. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, an air-inlet, a valve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close the air-inlet; a source of compressed air, mechanism operaied by com pressed air for opening said air-inlet valve, means controlling the flow of compressed air to said valve-opening mechanism, means for holding said air-inlet valve open, an electric circuit, circuit-closing means located in the path traveled by the carriers and operated by the latter, an electromagnet included in said circuit and adapted to be energized upon the closing of said circuit to release said airinlet-valveholding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve, and means for re turning said circuit-closing means into the path of the carrier for breaking said electric circuit.

14,-. In a pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus, a carrier-transmitting tube having an inlet and an outlet for the carriers, a valve for closing said inlet after the insertion of the carriers, an air-inlet, a valve controlling said air-inlet, mechanism normally holding said valve to close said air-inlet; a source of compressed air, mechanism for opening said airinlet valve and arranged to be operated by compressed air from said source, means for establishing communication between said source and said mechanism to open said valve, means controlling the flow of compressed air to said valve-opening mechanism, means for holding said air-inlet valve open, an electric circuit, a circuit-closing means located in the path traveled by said carriers and operated by the latter, an electromagnet included in said circuit and energized upon the closing of said circuit by the traveling carrier to release said air-inlet-valve-holding means to allow the closing of said air-inlet valve, and a spring for automatically returning said circuit-closing means into the path of the carrier and for breaking said electric circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 17th day of March, A. D. 1899.

JAMES T. GO WLEY.

Witnesses:

C. A. STEWART, A. L. MEssER. 

